Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so the Department of Defense also, U.S.A., are U.S. Department of Geological Survey— Our U.S.
• Can you— It was part of the Defense Production Act that was enacted federally, and that is...
• It would be nice to add another industry to the defense sector, so I think that would be good.
• We've been looking at defense applications as well. I'm sorry. ...products.
• And we've been looking at defense applications as well.

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Rachel Cotton, who is our legislative intern there at the indigent defense system and we
• It's time to pull When I got to the Oklahoma indigent defense system within the first month of me being
• We've made some cultural improvements at the indigent defense system in the last six months that were
• The other thing that's very important is that the indigent defense system has been in existence for 45
• I remember there used to be 20 or 25 really good criminal defense lawyers in Lawton.

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also have worked as a privately retained criminal defense attorney.
• I also have worked as a privately retained criminal defense attorney.
• </c><01:09:03.759><c> defendants</c> be existential for defense defendants be existential for defense
• :09:05.719><c> are</c><01:09:05.880><c> wayy</c> defense Council so these are wayy defense Council so
• That affects the defense. That affects law enforcement.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to highlight that the Department of Navy and the Department of Defense have been addressing PAS
• This slide describes the CERCLA process that the Department of Defense and the Navy follow.
• </c><00:22:57.039><c> have</c> The Navy and Department of Defense have The Navy and Department of Defense
• </c> In addition, the National Defense In addition, the National Defense Authorization<00:23:21.760><
• </c> fire and emergency services for defense fire and emergency services for defense operations<00:45

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill held an informational briefing at the State Capitol focused on updates from the Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill and NAVFAC Hawaii. Members and Navy officials opened by noting the meeting format, providing public links to tank closure supplement 4 and environmental remediation resources, and thanking Admiral Barnett for attending before his transition. The Navy emphasized that the Red Hill closure effort and the PFAS/PAS environmental remediation effort are separate but coordinated, and that both are long-term undertakings. For the closure effort, Navy officials reported progress on tank cleaning, ventilation, sludge removal, groundwater monitoring, and preparation for pipeline removal. They said supplement 4 to the tank closure plan was submitted in May and outlines the overall closure strategy, post-closure monitoring, and the decision to proceed with closure rather than wait for beneficial reuse decisions. They described completed ventilation of tanks 3 through 8, the start of tank 2 ventilation, removal of 283 gallons of sludge from the first six tanks, and plans to begin pipeline pigging and removal later this year. Officials also said all sludge samples tested so far were non-hazardous and that air monitoring has not shown elevated volatile organic readings during operations. NAVFAC Hawaii then outlined the PFAS/PAS remedial investigation under CERCLA, explaining the cleanup process, the nature of PFAS, and the role of aqueous film-forming foam as a source. The presentation said the Navy began investigating PFAS releases in 2014-2015, that the 2021 Red Hill fuel release led directly into remedial investigation work, and that current activities include quarterly groundwater sampling at 42 monitoring wells, installation of new shallow and deep wells, soil sampling where exceedances were found, fate-and-transport modeling, and human health risk assessments. Officials said data are publicly available on the Red Hill environmental website and that the next restoration advisory board meeting is scheduled for August 27. The Navy also gave a water resiliency update, saying it is upgrading the joint base drinking water system with pump, tank, and cybersecurity improvements and is installing treatment systems for the inactive Navy Aiea and Red Hill shafts ahead of EPA drinking water standards taking effect in 2029. No votes or formal committee actions were taken, as the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Birks and eliminated the ability of defense counsel to make such a request.
• The bill allows the defense to request the lesser related instructions.
• is required to disclose their defense theory.
• To disclose their defense theory. So that gives notice to the D.A.
• It has to be consistent with what the defense is arguing is the theory of defense.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act required the Department of Defense to halt the use of PFAS-based
• The 2020 National 31 Defense Authorization Act required the Department of Defense to halt the use of
• And a little bit more on history: in 2020, the Mac Thornberry defense bill outlined homeland defense
• Uh, and a little bit more on history, 2020, the Mac Thornberry 499 defense bill outlined homeland defense
• or homeland defense and chip sector needs in the, in the US.

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House. The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending. The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• These tools are also available to district attorneys and defense counsel throughout the state to assist
• The Supreme Court rule actually requires a hearing so that the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney
• It gives the defense and prosecution a chance to make those arguments.
• I am a public defender; I am also currently the president of the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers
• The prosecution and defense, I think they'll have a little bit to add here, too, can go in and argue

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• point where their bills exceed, get into the high six figures and sometimes seven figures for the defense
• Do you have any concerns that this could lead to lower-quality defense in that situation?
• software to manage that's already part of the regional council's office and those death-certified defense
• lawyers in... ...the regional council's office and those death-certified defense lawyers in any part

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My concern is whether we have the right defense.
• I have been on panels with defense lawyers. Each of those speeches.
• Believe it or not, a lot of defense lawyers would too. Well, you lost me.
• The defense is doing everything in their power to try to blame it on the boys.
• As a defense lawyer, I sure as heck can't bifurcate that case. Okay, Mr.

Bills: HB4011 , HB2680 , HB4325 , HB4327 , HB4944 , HB1761 , HB4688 , HB3453 , HB40 , HB1707 , HB4749 , HB2322 , HB3647 , HB4139 , HB4081 , HB2203 , HB2100 , HB4170 , HB3104 , HB4623 , HB40

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so now let me see from the defense. Ms. Yanez, thank you very much.
• Most of the continuances that I've seen, a lot of continuances, are on the defense side.
• Most of the continuances that I've seen are a lot of continuances are on the defense side.
• I did criminal defense work for 25 years, so I'm pretty familiar with this area.
• Criminal defense of all things mixed together.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , we provided liability protections for certain authorized persons when they lawfully act in self-defense
• or the defense of others.
• defense and let immunity still apply.
• Because self-defense is subjective to the mind of the person who's perceiving it.
• “And is a municipal association going to continue to provide a defense for these towns?”

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Compadres Network, Empowering Marginalized Asian Communities, Prevention Institute, the Children's Defense
• Also noting support for Immigrant Legal Defense, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN
• Also noting support for immigrant legal defense, services, immigrant rights and education network siren
• Rasa Community Resource Center, Kids in Need of Defense, South Asian Network, Pomona Economic Opportunity
• Center, Social Justice Collaborative, Santa Barbara County Immigrant Legal Defense Center, World Relief

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This slide reflects the Defense Finance and Accounting Services pay tables from 1997.
• coming, so well done. to the the pay grade of E5 within the to the the pay grade of E5 within the Defense
• Finance and Accounting Services Defense Finance and Accounting Services pay<00:25:21.679><c> tables,
• </c><00:25:47.400><c> Finance</c> This slide reflects the Defense Finance This slide reflects the Defense
• Finance and Accounting Services Defense Finance and Accounting Services pay<00:26:36.880><c> tables<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Either we need to add affirmative defense language to this bill or add 13-1428 as a reference in the
• 13-1407 affirmative defense bill.
• It's important to know that the affirmative defense that exists in 13-1407 most often applies to what
• I'm a local criminal defense attorney, member of AACJ. AACJ is opposed to this bill.
• I'm a local criminal defense attorney, member of AACJ. AACJ is opposed to this bill.

Bills: HB2076 , HB2135 , HB2175 , HB2186 , HB2223 , HB2345 , HB2364 , HB2417 , HB2440 , HB2666 , HB2763 , HCR2043

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: school safety, employee training, firearm certification, crisis response, school policies, reimbursement fund, local law enforcement, HB2135, Arizona, civil liability, private right of action, DEI, diversity equity and inclusion, critical race theory, anti-racism, race stereotyping, sex stereotyping, race scapegoating, sex scapegoating, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• It is very difficult for the department to try and mount a defense to show they were acting reasonably
• So it expands potentially what we're going to be seeing in terms of defense.
• Attorneys, representing the defense position on parole.
• I believe when I saw the first email, I was asked to sort of address how it would impact defense.
• I was asked to sort of address how it would impact defense, the defense community.

Summary: The committee held a work session on tort liability and parole, with the chair explaining that the topics were linked because criminal justice reform and state liability often intersect, especially in cases involving child welfare and corrections. Staff first outlined Washington’s tort liability framework, including the state’s broad waiver of sovereign immunity, statutes governing mandatory reporting and investigation of abuse, the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations, and the lack of caps on non-economic damages. Staff and presenters also compared Washington to other states and noted that Washington remains among the broadest states for state liability and childhood sexual abuse claims. Presenters from the Attorney General’s office, Washington State Association for Justice, DCYF, DSHS, and DOC discussed how tort exposure has grown, especially in claims involving DCYF, historical child abuse, juvenile rehabilitation, vulnerable adults, employment discrimination, medical negligence, and negligent supervision. DCYF and AG staff said claims and payouts are rising, with many claims tied to older abuse and new theories of liability, while defense counsel emphasized the human harm behind the claims and argued that tort cases have historically driven accountability and reform. Agency witnesses said they face large volumes of old claims with limited records, rising verdicts and settlements, and staffing and systems challenges, and they highlighted efforts such as early resolution programs, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, and improved incident review processes. The committee then shifted to parole. Sentencing experts reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained how parole could be integrated with sentencing guidelines through different models used in other states. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to a determinate-plus approach for three-strikes and persistent offender laws and a second-chance review process, noting there was no consensus on those ideas. Judges from the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association said a parole system could support rehabilitation and reduce disparities if it includes data collection, fairness, transparency, due process, and meaningful judicial review; they also pointed to research suggesting parole and structured reentry can reduce recidivism and costs, while warning that access and outcomes can vary by geography and other factors.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and helps bolster the financial defenses and helps bolster the financial defenses of<03:26:11.600
• </c> departments of commerce, state, defense departments of commerce, state, defense to<03:56:34.800>
• ><04:59:20.400><c> most</c> defense systems remain the most defense systems remain the most effective
• </c> who purchase American defense systems. who purchase American defense systems.
• defenses.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 8, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first person on this is Jason Steverak, Defense Credit Union Council. Good morning, Jason.
• , and defense communities across the country.
• For defense credit unions specifically, interchange revenue is not an excess profit.
• That patchwork is especially damaging for defense credit unions because our members are forced to be
• about the defense.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card heard extensive testimony from credit union, banking, retail, restaurant, and payments-industry representatives about proposals to limit interchange fees, especially on the tax and tip portions of transactions. Several witnesses opposed state-level restrictions, arguing they would create a patchwork of rules, burden state-chartered institutions, raise compliance complexity, and ultimately reduce resources for fraud prevention, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit. Others, including retail and merchant advocates, said swipe fees are a significant and growing cost for small businesses and that states should consider reforms such as limiting fees on taxes and tips, allowing surcharging, improving transparency in merchant contracts, and studying collection costs more closely. Witnesses also discussed recent legal and regulatory developments, including Illinois’s interchange-fee law, OCC and NCUA interim rules, and the ongoing Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement. Industry representatives said the Illinois law has been delayed and is likely preempted for most transactions, while merchant advocates argued the state efforts and court rulings show that networks and banks do not set fees competitively. The proposed antitrust settlement was described by some as a meaningful but limited merchant victory, with temporary fee reductions and expanded surcharge/steering rights, while others said it still falls short of structural reform. The commission members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of fees, the cost of cash, whether merchants can pass costs through, and whether small businesses are actually seeing benefits from the current system. Members repeatedly emphasized the need for a fair middle ground that protects both small businesses and the payment system. No substantive votes or policy actions were taken beyond accepting testimony, and the meeting ended with adjournment after all scheduled witnesses had spoken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I suggest we should not have an affirmative defense on our books that is tantamount to the victim was
• We certainly should not have an affirmative defense that, again, says it's okay to violate an order as
• others who have testified, am deeply concerned that we would even consider creating an affirmative defense
• So we don't allow that as an affirmative defense in any other crime, and I don't think we should do it
• look at the green cards in support, certainly it's from bail underwriters and it's from criminal defense

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Justice met on April 14, 2026, and first handled several voluntary deferrals, including HB 343, HB 491, HB 523, HB 426, HB 439, HB 378, and later HB 1025. HB 676 by Rep. Spell, which creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals or “body brokering,” was amended and reported favorably. Testimony from Louisiana Blue, Odyssey House, and others described the practice as exploiting vulnerable addiction and mental health patients for profit, while supporters said the bill targets organized fraud and protects patients, families, and insurers. The committee also reported HB 394 by Rep. Chenevert, which extends the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months for offenders who must complete programming before release. Supporters, including the Louisiana Parole Project, said the change gives the parole board more flexibility and does not create new parole eligibility, while the bill was amended to remove some language tied to rehabilitation programming review. HB 622 by Rep. Coates, dealing with confidentiality and handling of criminal history records, was reported favorably after testimony that it is needed to align state law with federal FBI/CJIS requirements and tighten safeguards on background-check information. HB 396 by Rep. McMakin, concerning admissibility of autopsy photographs, was amended to apply to criminal proceedings generally and then reported favorably. HB 772 by Rep. Martinez, which modernizes notice requirements for arrest warrants by allowing electronic notice and clarifying mailing procedures, was also reported favorably despite concerns from Orleans Parish prosecutors about costs and surety liability. HB 1038 by Rep. Boyer, addressing marshal authority to issue deputy commissions and related liability/insurance issues, drew substantial testimony from marshals, city officials, and local government groups; after amendments requiring insurance coverage and clarifying funding and applicability, it was reported favorably on an 8-2 vote. HB 1025, which would have created an exception allowing reconciliation after a protective-order violation, drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and prosecutors and was voluntarily deferred by the author.

Transcript Highlights:

• Defensible space includes having a non-combustible first five feet around the structure.
• space. to provide discounts for home hardening and maintain defensible space.
• Defensible space includes having a non-combustible first five feet around the structure.
• But I do think that our regulations and the models need to be defensible and show that the plan...
• Chris Rosa here on behalf of NRDC, the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara providing a detailed update on implementation after the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Lara said the strategy has helped stabilize the market, speed claims payments, and keep insurers in California, citing $22.4 billion paid to wildfire survivors, 94% of 4,121 claims paid fully or partially, $210 million returned through department investigations, and a 27% reduction in claim closure time. He said major insurers, including Mercury, CSAA, USAA companies, Pacific Specialty, and California Casualty, have filed under SIS, with several more filings pending, and that approvals have generally been completed within 100 days of public notice. He also discussed modernization of rate review, a new data reconciliation tool, a planned regulation to require rate reviews within 60 days plus a possible 30-day extension, and ongoing work on Fair Plan oversight, wildfire risk modeling, and mitigation standards such as Zone Zero. Committee members focused on wildfire survivor non-renewals, Fair Plan growth, claim handling timelines, and whether new legislative proposals could help or hinder market stability. Lara said visible consumer relief should begin in 12 to 24 months, with broader market stabilization expected over three to five years, and emphasized that mitigation, faster rate review, and insurer participation are key to reducing reliance on the Fair Plan. He also highlighted his 22-bill package, including SB 876 on disaster claims handling, AB 1795 on smoke damage standards, AB 1680 on Fair Plan accountability, and reforms to the intervener process. Members raised concerns about balancing consumer protections with insurer participation, and Lara said the Legislature should weigh those tradeoffs through the committee process. Public commenters were divided but generally acknowledged the importance of the issue. Consumer and survivor advocates argued that insurers still delay or underpay claims and that more protections are needed, while industry representatives praised the department’s work and urged caution so the new system is not undermined. Several speakers stressed the need for mitigation, Zone Zero rules, and adequate rates, while others warned that wildfire and liability insurance problems are affecting foster care providers, commercial coverage, and utility wildfire costs. The hearing concluded with the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Defensible space includes having a non-combustible first five feet around the structure.
• space. to provide discounts for home hardening and maintain defensible space.
• Defensible space includes having a non-combustible first five feet around the structure.
• But I do think that our, I mean, our regulations and the models need to be defensible and show that the
• Chris Rosa here on behalf of NRDC, the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all